When you’re blessed with the opportunity to reach over two million listeners on a daily basis, you’d be remiss not to use that platform responsibly to address pressing social issues. Veteran WBLS radio and TV personality, Egypt Sherrod, learned this lesson the hard way after a two-year hiatus from the airwaves made her realize she was misusing her blessing.

“I spent years wasting time in the parties and on the scene but not using my tool to make a … difference. I went through a period of being off the radio and that reflection time allowed me to see that God blessed me and I abused it. So I realized when He blessed me again [and] He afforded me this opportunity, [I had to]] use it wisely,” she says.

With that life lesson guiding her way, Sherrod has partnered with several nonprofit charities including The Children’s Aid Society, Toys 4 Tots, Jersey Cares and more for a toy, coat and fundraising drive to benefit many of the Tri-State area’s financially disempowered residents. The five-day tour includes a daily five-hour 107.5 WBLS-FM live radio broadcast from locations in Brooklyn, Bronx, Harlem and Queens, N.Y., and Newark, N.J. For Sherrod this particular cause has profound significance due to her impoverished upbringing with her single-parent mother and sister.

“We grew up on the welfare system and my mom struggled. I have memories of making sugar sandwiches and eating peanut butter out of a jar for protein ’cause that’s all we had. That was a reality for me. I know that all positivity in our life comes from above and we have to continue giving back to our brothers and sisters,” she says. –souleo

Those within the Tri-State area can help Sherrod give back by donating new or clean, barely worn coat or unwrapped toys for all ages. Financial donations will be accepted as well. Donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the dates listed below: